Signed applet using javax.comm

I am using a signed applet that utilizes the javax.comm package. I have used this package with out any problem on the same machine. I copied the comm.jar file into the jre/lib/ext directory along with the javax.comm.properties file. Also placed the win32com.dll in the jre/bin directory. When I run the applet I am not getting the port listings like I did when running on the same machine. A common cause for this is that the javax.comm.properties file is not in the proper place. But I think it is, but is this happening because the applet is running and the application can not find the javax.properties file? I have tried different sub-directories and everything I can think of... Any ideas? Thanks, Jeff